Chicago Blackhawks: Looking to end the season on a high note

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 15: Zach Parise #11 of the Minnesota Wild tries to get off a shot against Corey Crawford #50 of the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on January 15, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Wild defeated the Blackhawks 3-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 15: Zach Parise #11 of the Minnesota Wild tries to get off a shot against Corey Crawford #50 of the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on January 15, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Wild defeated the Blackhawks 3-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Friday: vs the Dallas Stars

The Chicago Blackhawks will close out their home portion of the schedule against the Dallas Stars. The Stars already clinched their playoff spot in the Western Conference, but there is still seeding to be determined. They currently hold the top wild-card spot in the west but only have a one-point lead on the Colorado Avalanche. They have a game at hand and this game in Chicago is that game. If the Stars win this game then they will clinch the top wild-card spot and earn themselves a first-round matchup with the winner of the central division.

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That could be one of three teams in the St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, or Winnipeg Jets. Most people would probably agree that either of those three teams presents a better matchup for Dallas so they will want to win this game. The Blackhawks can try to make their road to success in the playoffs more difficult by winning this game. Both teams should expect a hard game each way.

The Stars have come to be known as a team led by their superstars Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. These two have been the offensive forces for Dallas since the 2013-14 season. Seguin is a Stanley Cup Champion with the Boston Bruins in 2011 and Benn is an Art Ross Trophy winner in 2015 as the NHL’s leading scorer. These are elite players that the Stars would probably like to rest in game 82, but they have to take care of their business in this game first.

The Blackhawks will probably start Corey Crawford in this game as Cam Ward started their most recent game in St. Louis. Crawford, like the team, has had an up and down season and is going into a contract year. He will be looking to end on a high note and show everyone he still has a lot left in the tank.